Tourism Advocacy Update – February 3, 2021 - Association de l'industrie touristique du Canada

COVID-19 Updates > Tourism Advocacy Update – February 3, 2021

Tourism Advocacy Update – February 3, 2021

Publié le 4 Février 2021

February 3, 2021

Dear Tourism Stakeholders,

The TIAC Team is pleased to provide you with this update on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, including the steps government is taking to address the situation. We are working hard to make sure the industry’s voice is heard by government, and that you have the information you need to keep your business going in these uncertain times.

Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of Canada’s Visitor Economy:

TIAC’s Advocacy Update

TIAC is actively meeting with officials, the Acting CEO had a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister’s office yesterday to discuss recovery supports

This week TIAC’s Acting CEO met with the Tourism branch at ISED to discuss industry priorities

Conservative MP and Special Advisor to the Leader on Tourism Recovery, Tony Baldinelli, has sponsored an electronic petition that calls upon the Government of Canada to present a tourism recovery plan on or before the 2021 federal budget
- The deadline to sign is February 7, 2021 at 5pm EST. You can access the e-petition here: https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3027

Destination Canada has launched a new survey to better understand how we can improve COVID-19 research reports and what research you find valuable as we more forward.
- Take part: /ca-na-da.com/2K9HoP6

Health Canada (HC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) have developed a wide range of free resources intended to give organizations tools to help Canadians stay safe, healthy and informed. The COVID-19 Awareness Toolkit provides the latest resources, ready-to-print posters, videos, social media content and other valuable links that intended for all Canadians, including seniors, youth and Indigenous Canadians.
- The COVID-19 Awareness Toolkit can be found at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OYBxF0sgXdQBFDmOe0AN8v2HivNB0Fco/view?usp=sharing

Government Announcements

HASCAP Program Launched
- The Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) has launched with applications opening earlier this week
- TIAC and the Business Development Bank of Canada will be hosting a member’s only webinar this Friday, February 5, to provide clarity on registration requirements, process, and address member questions
- Register here: https://tiac-aitc.ca/cgi/page.cgi/Webinars.html

Vaccine Progression by Province May Be Viewed Here: https://bit.ly/2L42miR
- Canada COVID Tracker: https://bit.ly/2JGK2M2
- Global COVID Tracker: https://bit.ly/3qwcdwX

Government of Canada announced plan to produce millions of COVID-19 shots at a plant in Montreal
- Production would start later this year, securing a domestic supply of vaccines as the global market contends with delivery delays
- News Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/vaccines- canada-production-trudeau-1.5897343

Government of Canada Imposes New Travel Restrictions
- All international passenger flights are required to land at one of the following four airports: Vancouver International, Calgary International, Toronto Pearson International, and Montreal-Trudeau International
- As of January 31, 2021, all flights have been suspended to and from Mexico and the Caribbean until April 30, 2021
- The government continues to work closely with the airline industry to implement changes
- News Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/transport- canada/news/2021/01/expansion-of-international-flight- restrictions-at-canadian-airports.html

Further Pending Travel Restrictions
- The Prime Minister also alluded to further travel restrictions coming into effect, including quarantine at a government approved hotel at traveler’s own expense, and mandatory PCR testing on arrival
- Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says air travelers should be prepared for COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Canada and hotel quarantine requirements to come into effect as soon as Thursday, February 4.
- Alghabra also stated the government remains in talks with the U.S. government over potential new safety measures at land ports of entry.
- News Link: https://bit.ly/39AEhtq

Alberta Releases Benchmarks for Relaxing Restrictions
- Alberta has released a series of thresholds indicating restrictions that would be relaxed if hospitalizations numbers decline. The first of these steps will be taken on Feb 8th
- Release Link: https://bit.ly/3tfwvgs
- Restriction Benchmarks: https://bit.ly/2YBzq4V

Alberta has also changed self-isolation rules for those infected with variants of COVID-19, and in some cases people may end up in quarantine for up to 24 days. The province's top public health doctor also promoted Alberta's hotel isolation and quarantine options.
- News Link: https://bit.ly/2LfB7C5

Quebec Returns to Tiered Restriction Levels – Feb 8th
- The Premier announced that Quebec will return to a tiered alert program with adjustments to the restrictions for each level. Eight regions will move to orange on February 8th.
- Release Link: https://bit.ly/2YDjcZg